1. HIST3025 Hitler and the National Socialist Ideology Lecture 9: Leadership, Propaganda, Mobilization 2 May 2013

2. Hitler and Weimar Republic Rejected Weimar Republic: Saw Nov 1918 revolution as Jewish-inspired Blamed republicans to have accepted armistice and Versailles Treaty Held republicans responsible for chaotic, inflation-ridden post-war German economy

3. Hitler and Democracy Rejected democracy in principle: Predicted rule of inferior people Expected marginalisation of natural leaders Foresaw levelling-down of political talents Saw parliamentarians as mediocre figures constantly adapting policies to masses Regarded parliamentarians as opportunists, irresponsible for wrong decisions, “gangsters”

4. Hitler’s ‘Leadership Principle’ No discussion (democratic principle) but obedience to leaders No down-top (democratic principle) but top- down authority for leaders No limited responsibility (parliamentarian principle) but unlimited authority for leaders

5. Hitler’s Model Leader Theoretician: Correct theoretical insights in laws of history as racial struggle Organiser: Good organisational talents Psychologist: Able transmitter of ideas to masses → Combination of all = Great Leader / Great Man

6. Hitler and Propaganda Based on analysis of Germany’s failings in WW I → Paved way to Nov 1918 revolution → Absolute necessary tool for future leader to be able to move masses Must not appeal to reason but to emotions (‘the heart’) Must create ‘mass suggestion’ in crowds

7. Hitler’s Mass Suggestion No deception but articulation of established beliefs No dupe but mobilization of already latent thoughts = Mobilization of ‘healthy’ national sentiment = Proclamation of ‘general will’ by ‘one man’

8. Hitler’s NS State Militarist & authoritarian Dominant master with totalitarian ambitions Mobilising ‘healthy members’ Suppressing enemies = Totalitarianism PLUS: Head of broad process of national mobilization Agent of biological revival of race Strong position from ability to reflect popular sentiments (resentments)

9. Popular resentments in 1920s Extreme nationalist resentments:  Versailles Treaty: ‘War Guilt’ clause  Jews; Socialists; Marxists; Poles; ‘November criminals’; republicans; mentally/physically ills; socially marginalised groups = Popular beliefs in German public in 1920s

10. 1920s Crisis and Mein Kampf Expression of general bitterness after war Unwillingness of accepting military defeat Disorientation in democracy & economic crisis Search for ‘scape-goats’ for disaster & chaos = Mein Kampf as crucial document of societal crisis in Germany in 1920s